Simple But Effective Brake Upgrade Suggestions?

Mr Awesomer · 08-16-2006, 08:32 PM

Hello everyone, long time reader, first time writer here.

For the most part I've been happy with my completely stock '06 Civic Coupe EX 5spd. But that was until this morning when I for the first time needed to make an emergency stop. While I was able to safely stop, it was not without much crunching noises (ABS working overtime I'm guessing) coming from my wheels and very a unconfident feel.

As a previous owner of a 97 RL and a 92 Legend I was very disappointed with how my brand new car handled the situation. Hell, even my 88 Legend of ages ago had a more confident feel in harrowing situations.

Long story short, are there any complete (front and rear) brake upgrade packages on the market yet? I'm interesting in solutions that won't break the bank or the warranty. Don't need anything competition grade, just something to make me piss my pants less next time I'm in a similar situation.

Suggestions?

CivicWithNav · 08-16-2006, 10:06 PM

the crunching noise is saying your ABS is working properly

new cars have more DETACHED feeling than the older vehicles

we do have EBD too

and Tires are one of the major reasons why you may feel unsafe. it is Bridgestone NO GRIP tires... meaning ABS will kick in when you may not need to if you had grippier tires

but in anycase... I heard RSX base model brakes work...(rotors/pads) and they have buncha cross drilled/slotted and nicer pads.. but again, without better tires, it won't do ya any good

DumbasSi · 08-16-2006, 11:04 PM

Better tires for sure and upgrade the pads to some Hawk HPS.

***CaliGuy*** · 08-16-2006, 11:16 PM

Ive read that slotted or drilled rotors do nothing to help performance. They just look cool...

Funny you should bring this up. Today driving home from work, going downhill on the freeway I had to slam on the brakes. No ABS, the car came to a very nice and confident slow and then stop. I was stoked! I do have an Si with the summer tires however...

DumbasSi · 08-16-2006, 11:28 PM

Slotted rotors have been known to chew up pads and cross drilled rotors can warp. OEM rotors with good pads and a high quality fluid are more then enough for a daily driver IMO.

***CaliGuy*** · 08-16-2006, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DumbasSi

Slotted rotors have been known to chew up pads and cross drilled rotors can warp. OEM rotors with good pads and a high quality fluid are more then enough for a daily driver IMO.

Exactly, slotted work like a cheese grater on your pads and drilled tend to break unless made well (i.e. not drilled, but cast with holes in them) even then they provide no practical value. I don't even believe race car drivers use em...The rotors of the Si (not sure about all civics) are vented, which is pretty much as good as it gets...

Tate · 08-16-2006, 11:51 PM

better pads, better tires and SS brake lines would help

CivicWithNav · 08-17-2006, 12:24 AM

only if u buy the cheap rotors....

Mr Awesomer · 08-17-2006, 02:58 AM

Thanks for the tips guys. I already had getting better tires on the radar but was hoping to get a few more miles out of the stock ones. Nice to hear it will also help my braking. I'll also be looking into just replacing the pads with some higher quality ones... looks like good ol tire rack will come in handy.

Tate · 08-17-2006, 10:56 AM

one thing you might want to keep in mind that some high performance pads produce more brake dust so the wheels might get dirtier

gbae007 · 08-17-2006, 04:03 PM

+1 Tires.

High performance summer tires are the single best brake mod on the stock calipers.

08-16-2006, 08:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mr Awesomer Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 2 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Simple But Effective Brake Upgrade Suggestions? Hello everyone, long time reader, first time writer here. For the most part I've been happy with my completely stock '06 Civic Coupe EX 5spd. But that was until this morning when I for the first time needed to make an emergency stop. While I was able to safely stop, it was not without much crunching noises (ABS working overtime I'm guessing) coming from my wheels and very a unconfident feel. As a previous owner of a 97 RL and a 92 Legend I was very disappointed with how my brand new car handled the situation. Hell, even my 88 Legend of ages ago had a more confident feel in harrowing situations. Long story short, are there any complete (front and rear) brake upgrade packages on the market yet? I'm interesting in solutions that won't break the bank or the warranty. Don't need anything competition grade, just something to make me piss my pants less next time I'm in a similar situation. Suggestions?

08-16-2006, 11:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
*CaliGuy* VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: SoCal Age: 30 Posts: 10,520 J. M. back by popular demand! iTrader: 4 / 100%	Ive read that slotted or drilled rotors do nothing to help performance. They just look cool... Funny you should bring this up. Today driving home from work, going downhill on the freeway I had to slam on the brakes. No ABS, the car came to a very nice and confident slow and then stop. I was stoked! I do have an Si with the summer tires however... __________________ Visit my city! Free vagin for every resident (in direct contrast to the other cities that only provide free Fleshlites!) http://eat-mykhram.myminicity.com/

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08-16-2006, 10:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
CivicWithNav Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Woodstock MD Posts: 2,575 iTrader: 13 / 100%	the crunching noise is saying your ABS is working properly new cars have more DETACHED feeling than the older vehicles we do have EBD too and Tires are one of the major reasons why you may feel unsafe. it is Bridgestone NO GRIP tires... meaning ABS will kick in when you may not need to if you had grippier tires but in anycase... I heard RSX base model brakes work...(rotors/pads) and they have buncha cross drilled/slotted and nicer pads.. but again, without better tires, it won't do ya any good

08-16-2006, 11:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
DumbasSi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,585 iTrader: 4 / 100%	Better tires for sure and upgrade the pads to some Hawk HPS.

08-16-2006, 11:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
DumbasSi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,585 iTrader: 4 / 100%	Slotted rotors have been known to chew up pads and cross drilled rotors can warp. OEM rotors with good pads and a high quality fluid are more then enough for a daily driver IMO.

08-16-2006, 11:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 300 iTrader: 0 / 0%	better pads, better tires and SS brake lines would help

08-17-2006, 12:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
CivicWithNav Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Woodstock MD Posts: 2,575 iTrader: 13 / 100%	only if u buy the cheap rotors....

08-17-2006, 02:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Mr Awesomer Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 2 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Thanks for the tips guys. I already had getting better tires on the radar but was hoping to get a few more miles out of the stock ones. Nice to hear it will also help my braking. I'll also be looking into just replacing the pads with some higher quality ones... looks like good ol tire rack will come in handy.

08-17-2006, 10:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tate Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 300 iTrader: 0 / 0%	one thing you might want to keep in mind that some high performance pads produce more brake dust so the wheels might get dirtier

08-17-2006, 04:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
gbae007 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 27 Posts: 881 iTrader: 0 / 0%	+1 Tires. High performance summer tires are the single best brake mod on the stock calipers.